Dental Facts & Dental Fictions

While modern dentistry is a marvel of advanced technology and education, it has not always been this way.

In fact, even today, some people believe the strangest things about their teeth and dental health.

At Bondi Dental, we find dental myths, misconceptions, and even some dental truths, to be quite interesting, and often funny.

So, today, we have collected strange historical facts/treatments, modern day beliefs, and some quirky facts that we hope you will find as entertaining as we did!

Dental Myths and Strange History

Strange Toothache Treatments

Toothaches seem to have always been with us, despite the fact that many historians believe that ancient people suffered fewer cavities because they had a lower level of refined sugars in their diet. In any case, before modern dentistry, toothaches were very hard to treat, which lead to treatments that were more optimistic than effective

Ancient civilizations commonly believed that toothaches were caused by worms in the teeth. The Aztecs believed that you could drive toothworms out of your teeth, and thus conquer toothache by chewing hot chili.

An Indian dentist (about 650 A.D.), believed toothworms could be killed by putting wax into a cavity and then burning it out using a hot probe. Ancient Romans tried to drive toothworms away with a smoke fumigation of the mouth, followed by rinsing. An Islamic physician, Avicenna, (980-1037), also recommended fumigation as a toothache treatment

Another alleged cure was the application of a dead mouse to the aching tooth while the corpse of the mouse was still warm!

Pliny the Elder suggested catching a frog under a full moon, prying open the frog’s mouth, spitting into it and saying, “Frog, go, and take my toothache with thee!”

Looking back on these treatments, it is good to think that we don’t suffer from such illusions in modern times.

And yet, even today, some mistaken beliefs persist.

Mistaken Modern Beliefs

Dentists don’t care about the discomfort or pain of their patients. This is simply not true. In fact, to avoid discomfort or pain, Bondi Dental advises you spend time talking to your dentist and staff before any procedure, even one as simple as a checkup. By doing so, your apprehension will ease, and you can learn about the modern anaesthesia that will render your treatment painless!

If your gums bleed, you need to stop flossing. This is a dangerous myth! Stopping flossing is exactly opposite to what you should do if you notice your gums are bleeding. Bleeding gums are often evidence of gum disease. Which makes it double important floss and brush – it helps prevent gum disease from easily advancing.

Avoid dental treatment while pregnant. In fact, during pregnancy we recommend a regular dental check-up, cleaning, and fillings if needed. Local anesthetics and X-rays are fine, though they should only be performed if necessary. Do be sure to inform your dentist of you pregnancy as some treatments should be avoided including amalgam removal and prescribing antibiotics.

Tooth loss is “just part of aging”. In fact, tooth loss has causes other than aging. The truth is insufficient oral hygiene, infections, and accident can all cause teeth to fall out. But older patients who practice excellent oral hygiene dramatically increase the chance that their natural teeth will last their lifetime.

Some Interesting Dental Facts

People drinking 3 or more glasses of sugared drinks daily have 62% more tooth decay, fillings, and lost teeth than those who don’t drink pop and sports drinks. Replace your sugary drinks with fresh water instead.

Lucy Beaman Hobbs became the first licensed female dentist in 1866, and nearly 40 years later, Dental Assistant Irene Newman became the first Dental Hygienist.

If you ever make it to Philadelphia in the U.S. you should visit Temple University’s Dental Museum. Inside you will find “Painless Parker’s” Bucket of Teeth. Dentist Edgar R.R. “Painless” Parker looked a lot like Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel Sanders and wore a top hat and necklace strung with teeth. He was a flamboyant promoter whose gimmicks included pulling 357 teeth in one day. The bucket is actually a wooden pail filled to the top with thousands of teeth

Going to a party? “Tooth brushing” can be a quick clean for dingy jewellery. A fast, simple way to restore sparkle to your favourite ring, earrings, necklace, or other jewellery is a retired toothbrush with a dab of toothpaste. Gently brush your jewellery and then wipe it off using a damp cloth. Voila! Sparkle returned.

The Bondi Dental Advantage

Bondi Dental is conveniently located in the Eastern Suburbs – Bondi Beach, Bondi in Sydney. Our team of dental professionals has more than 60 years combined experiences in all aspects of dentistry.

We provide high quality dental preventative, restorative, and cosmetic services for all patients in the region. Bondi Dental has free parking behind our building and offers a FREE Dental Consultation including a complete dental check-up.